Leadership Purpose

Today's devotional is from The Leadership Walk: Devotions for Leaders of Today and Tomorrow.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" - Jeremiah 1:5.

Jeremiah was confronted at the beginning of his career as a prophetic leader in Judah that this was his life's work. In other words, he was fulfilling his God-assigned purpose as he led., a purpose that was assigned to him before he was born. This changes the question of whether or not leaders are born or made to "Are leaders called?"

In this case and many others in Scripture, it is clear that God called David, Joseph, Moses, Deborah, Esther, and John the Baptist to lead. All leaders should have a sense that what they are doing is God's will for their lives. Those leaders should also realize that God's purpose for leaders is not limited to church work, but covers every aspect of God's creation. That means there are called and anointed bankers, politicians, accountants, HR professionals, and journalists as well as pastors, prophets, and evangelists.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Today's Step is to clarify your sense of purpose and calling in the work you are now doing. If you are leading your garden club, a women's Bible study, a Boy Scout troop, or any aspect of your company, do you have a sense that God has called you to that position? And as you lead, are you fulfilling your purpose? If you can say yes to those questions, then you can truthfully say, "God called me to this!" If not, it's time to reflect, resign, and refocus.